Definition of aye

The word "aye" has its origins in Old English and Norse. In Old English, the word "æ" or "ē" meant "yes" or "behold!" and was used as an affirmative response. The word is also related to the Old Norse word "ey" or "ei," which meant "yes" or "indeed." In Middle English (circa 1100-1500), the spelling of the word became "aye" and retained its affirmative meaning. By the 16th century, the word had developed a sense of strong agreement or confirmation, as in the phrase "aye, aye, captain!" which was used to express enthusiastic assent in naval contexts. Today, the word "aye" is commonly used in British English to express agreement or confirmation, and is also used in some idiomatic expressions such as "aye aye captain" or "ayes have it."